IB Physics - Study Hub

A public revision hub for IB Physics (SL & HL) with a syllabus overview, exam structure, and the highest-priority themes to revise first — from kinematics and energy to fields and quantum physics.

What is IB Physics?

IB Physics is a Group 4 experimental science that builds a quantitative model of the physical world. The first-exams-2025 syllabus is organised into five themes — Space, Time and Motion; the Particulate Nature of Matter; Wave Behaviour; Fields; and Nuclear and Quantum Physics — taught around a shared set of data-booklet equations and laboratory skills.

Assessment rewards method as much as the final number: free-body diagrams, correct units and significant figures, "show that" reasoning, and reading information off graphs. Aimnova covers Physics at Standard and Higher Level — HL extends each theme with extra depth — so you can understand the syllabus, prioritise revision, and move into the most repeated exam-style questions at your level.

Subject Group

Group 4 (Sciences)

Available on Aimnova

SL & HL

Teaching Hours

150 (SL) · 240 (HL)

Exam Papers

Paper 1A (MCQ) · Paper 1B (data) · Paper 2 · IA

IB Physics Assessment

Paper 1

36%1 h 30 (SL) · 2 h (HL)

Two parts in one sitting: Paper 1A is multiple choice across the whole syllabus, and Paper 1B is a set of data-analysis questions based on experimental work. No notes; data booklet provided.

Paper 2

44%1 h 30 (SL) · 2 h 30 (HL)

Short-answer and extended-response questions combining calculation, explanation, and graph work across all five themes, with the data booklet available.

Internal Assessment

20%

The Scientific Investigation: one individual investigation (about 10 hours) marked on research design, data analysis, conclusion, and evaluation. Same for SL and HL.

IB Physics Syllabus - All Themes and Topics

SLHL

Viewing Standard Level — switch to Higher Level for the full HL syllabus.

Unit 1: Space, time and motion

1.1Kinematics7 sub-topics

1.1.1 Velocity and displacement 1.1.2 Acceleration 1.1.3 Displacement from a velocity–time graph 1.1.4 The suvat equations 1.1.5 Free fall 1.1.6 Projectiles 1.1.7 Fluid resistance and terminal velocity

1.2Forces and momentum8 sub-topics

1.2.1 Free-body diagrams, equilibrium & resolving forces 1.2.2 Newton's laws of motion (F = ma)1.2.3 Friction (static & dynamic)1.2.4 Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle 1.2.5 Drag force & terminal velocity 1.2.6 Circular motion & centripetal force 1.2.7 Momentum & impulse 1.2.8 Conservation of momentum & collisions

1.3Work, energy and power6 sub-topics

1.3.1 Work done & force-distance graphs 1.3.2 Kinetic energy & the work-energy principle 1.3.3 Gravitational PE & conservation of energy 1.3.4 Elastic potential energy 1.3.5 Power & efficiency 1.3.6 Energy in collisions & systems (Sankey/energy transfers)

Unit 2: The particulate nature of matter

Unit 3: Wave behaviour

3.1Simple harmonic motion4 sub-topics

3.1.1 Conditions for simple harmonic motion 3.1.2 Period and frequency of SHM oscillators 3.1.3 SHM graphs, phase and timing 3.1.4 Energy in simple harmonic motion

3.2Wave model4 sub-topics

3.2.1 The travelling wave and the wave equation 3.2.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves and particle motion 3.2.3 Electromagnetic waves and the EM spectrum 3.2.4 Wavefronts and rays

3.3Wave phenomena4 sub-topics

3.3.1 Refraction, Snell's law and total internal reflection 3.3.2 Interference, path difference and coherence 3.3.3 Double-slit interference 3.3.4 Diffraction

3.4Standing waves and resonance2 sub-topics

3.4.1 Standing waves: nodes, antinodes and superposition 3.4.2 Harmonics, resonance and wavelength from a standing-wave pattern

3.5Doppler effect2 sub-topics

3.5.1 Doppler effect for sound 3.5.2 Doppler effect for light (redshift and blueshift)

Unit 4: Fields

4.1Gravitational fields4 sub-topics

4.1.1 Newton's law of gravitation and field strength 4.1.2 Kepler's laws and orbital motion 4.1.3 Circular orbits and satellites 4.1.4 Gravitational potential energy and escape speed

4.2Electric and magnetic fields4 sub-topics

4.2.1 Coulomb's law and charging 4.2.2 Electric field strength and superposition 4.2.3 Uniform fields, parallel plates and potential difference 4.2.4 Magnetic fields and the force between parallel currents

4.3Motion in electromagnetic fields3 sub-topics

4.3.1 Force on a current-carrying conductor 4.3.2 Charged particles in an electric field 4.3.3 Magnetic force on charges and the velocity selector

Unit 5: Nuclear and quantum physics

Unit 6: Experimental skills

6.1Experimental skills5 sub-topics

6.1.1 Measurement technique & choosing instruments 6.1.2 Uncertainties & error propagation 6.1.3 Graphing: plotting, best-fit lines & gradients 6.1.4 Linearizing relationships & testing a law 6.1.5 Evaluating method & dimensional analysis

Free IB Physics Study Resources

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Formula Booklet

Every equation given in the physics data booklet, organised by theme — know what is provided and what you must apply

📚

Start Studying

Jump into the live Physics study flow (SL & HL)

🧠

Exam Skills

Paper structures, command terms, and scoring strategy for Physics SL and HL

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Command Terms

Learn how IB wording (state, show that, explain, discuss) changes a high-scoring answer

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Mock Exams

Full-length Physics mock papers under timed conditions

Frequently Asked Questions about IB Physics

What does IB Physics cover?

The first-exams-2025 syllabus is built from five themes: Space, Time and Motion (kinematics, forces, momentum, energy); the Particulate Nature of Matter (thermal physics, gases, electric circuits); Wave Behaviour (oscillations, waves, superposition, sound); Fields (gravitational, electric, and magnetic); and Nuclear and Quantum Physics (atomic structure, radioactivity, fission, fusion, and stars). HL studies each theme in greater depth.

What is the difference between Physics SL and HL?

HL covers every SL theme plus additional higher-level content and extra depth, runs to 240 teaching hours versus 150, and sits longer Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams. Both levels do the same Scientific Investigation for the Internal Assessment (20%). The 2025 syllabus has no Paper 3 and no options.

How is IB Physics assessed?

Three external papers in two sittings — Paper 1A (multiple choice) and Paper 1B (data analysis) together count 36%, and Paper 2 (structured and extended response) counts 44% — plus the Internal Assessment (20%), an individual Scientific Investigation. A data booklet of equations and constants is provided in every paper.

How should I revise IB Physics efficiently?

Make sure you can draw free-body diagrams and read quantities off graphs (gradient and area), then drill the highest-yield calculations theme by theme with correct units and significant figures. Practise "show that" questions for the method marks, and use past-paper mark schemes to see what examiners reward for "explain", "discuss", and "evaluate".

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Start revising IB Physics with structure

Use the syllabus overview, data-booklet, and live study path to focus on the kinematics, energy, fields, and quantum physics the exams test most — at SL and HL.

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